Tonya Johnson-Simmons
Summary
Seasoned financial executive with extensive experience at the U.S. Department of the Interior, specializing in financial strategy and leadership. Successfully led initiatives that achieved an 89% reduction in audit deficiencies and improved process efficiency by 20% through the implementation of SAP 4Hana. Proven expertise in risk management and stakeholder engagement, ensuring fiscal integrity and strategic planning across both governmental and private sectors. Committed to leveraging financial acumen to enhance organizational performance and drive sustainable growth. Visionary leader with proven track record in steering organizations toward success through strategic planning and effective management. Skilled in building cohesive teams, driving innovation, and enhancing operational efficiency to achieve business objectives. Demonstrated ability to transform challenges into opportunities, resulting in significant impact on company growth and profitability.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Deputy Chief Financial Officer
U.S. Department of the Interior
01.2019 - Current
- Led financial operations overseeing $167 billion in assets, including financial planning, risk management, and regulatory compliance
- Directed 11 Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) across multiple bureaus, optimizing financial policies and ensuring fiscal responsibility
- Spearheaded enterprise-wide financial management initiatives, including budget formulation and execution, financial reporting, and internal controls
- Resolved 800+ audit recommendations, reducing financial statement deficiencies from 18 to 2, positioning the agency as a leader among CFO Act agencies
- Implemented SAP 4Hana, enhancing financial process efficiency by 20% and improving forecasting accuracy
- Established a financial management training program, delivering 50+ courses to 66,000 employees, improving financial literacy and compliance
- Led initiatives bridging governmental financial resources with private sector philanthropic efforts to drive impactful social and economic programs
Associate Chief Financial Officer
Office of Personnel Management
01.2016 - 01.2019
- Managed financial reporting, cost accounting, and trust fund operations for a $1 trillion portfolio, including pension and healthcare programs
- Ensured fiscal integrity through compliance with financial regulations and strategic budgeting
- Identified and corrected $43.2 million in financial discrepancies, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing financial risks
- Implemented enterprise-wide managerial cost accounting programs, aligning financial planning with organizational objectives
- Achieved unmodified audit opinions for three consecutive years, enhancing financial transparency and credibility
Director, Financial Operations
Department of Agriculture
01.2008 - 01.2014
- Oversaw financial operations for a $2 billion grant program, driving financial efficiency and compliance through strategic planning and policy development
- Resolved 20 years of financial mismanagement, closing 14,000 overdue grants valued at $5 billion, eliminating audit findings
- Transitioned payment processing to Treasury ASAP, saving $900,000 annually and improving cash flow management
- Led cross-functional collaborations to enhance financial reporting and governance, aligning stakeholders on financial best practices
Education
Doctorate - Public Administration
Liberty University
02.2025
Master’s - Accounting (Forensic Accounting)
Strayer University
MBA -
University of Maryland
Executive Leadership Certification -
Harvard Kennedy School
Skills
- Financial Strategy
- Corporate Planning
- Risk Management
- Compliance
- Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
- Audit
- Regulatory Compliance
- Budgeting
- Forecasting
- Cost Reduction
- Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
- Due Diligence
- Leadership
- Change Management
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Board Reporting
- Public-Private Philanthropy Partnerships
- Data Analytics
- Financial Software
- Revenue growth
- Business partnering
- Cost control
- Financial systems
- GAAP
- Cash flow forecasting
- Stakeholder management
- Audit management
- Capital management
- Debt financing
- Investment analysis
- Internal controls
- Operational management
- Documentation requirements
- Quantitative analysis
- Business forecasting
- Regulatory requirements
- Accounting principles
- Program leadership
- Accounting principles understanding
- Reporting skills
- Regulatory Compliance Knowledge
- Executive recruitment
- Change management expertise
- Corporate governance
- Public address presentation
- Financial administration
- Operational decision making
- Strategic planning
- Debt management expertise
- Budget development
- Financial strategy development
- Continuous learning mindset
- Infrastructure development
- Working capital management
- Financial management
- Reporting expertise
- Public accounting
- Financial process improvement
- Financial policy creation
- Regulatory compliance
- Risk management
- ERP system implementation
- Risk management proficiency
- Cost reduction strategies
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Audit coordination
- Fiscal management
- Cash flow management
- Strategic financial planning
- Financial technology adoption
- Performance metrics analysis
- Corporate leadership
Affiliations
- Association of Government Accountants (AGA)
- Senior Executives Association (SEA)
- U.S. Chief Financial Officers Council (CFOC)
- Women in Executive Leadership
Technology And Financial Systems
SAP, Oracle, Momentum, Grant Solutions, Tableau, Alteryx, QuickBooks, Hyperion, Workday
Earlier Career Roles
- Chief, Financial Reporting & Analysis | Office of Personnel Management
- Lead Staff Accountant | Federal Highway Administration
- Senior Accountant | U.S. Air Force Special Programs
- Supervisory Accountant | Defense Threat Reduction Agency
Accomplishments
Distinguished Presidential Rank Award Winner 2024
Nominated as one of the Top 100 Accounting Professionals 2025
Received Certificate in Excellence Award on Financial Reporting, 2020,2021,2022,2023,2024
Received “Best-In-Class” Award for Financial Reporting, 2021,2022, 2023
Ranked as Top 10 CFO's in Country -"OnCON Awards 2023
Received Outstanding Performance Ratings 2022, 2023, 2024
References
References available upon request.
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimeWork Location
RemoteHybridTimeline
Deputy Chief Financial Officer
U.S. Department of the Interior
01.2019 - Current
Associate Chief Financial Officer
Office of Personnel Management
01.2016 - 01.2019
Director, Financial Operations
Department of Agriculture
01.2008 - 01.2014
Doctorate - Public Administration
Liberty University
Master’s - Accounting (Forensic Accounting)
Strayer University
MBA -
University of Maryland
Executive Leadership Certification -
Harvard Kennedy School
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